A Pilatus PC-6 on a skydiving flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey Airfield Sunday, killing all 11 people on board, French officials said. Flight-tracking data referenced by authorities shows the aircraft banked left and disappeared from Flightradar24 less than a minute after departure — an early timeline cited by the Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture and local officials.
Skydiving plane crash in France: what happened
According to statements from the Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture and public officials, the single-engine Pilatus PC-6 took off from Nancy-Essey and banked sharply before vanishing from Flightradar24 tracking. Prefect Yves Séguy told reporters the aircraft appeared to suffer a malfunction and “fell almost vertically,” coming down roughly 300 yards from the runway, narrowly missing more densely populated areas, per the prefecture’s account.
The Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) confirmed it has opened a safety investigation and dispatched investigators to the scene, the agency said in an initial statement. Authorities have urged caution while investigators secure the site and review technical data.
Who died and eyewitness accounts
Officials reported 11 fatalities: five skydiving instructors, five people making their first jumps and the pilot, the prefecture said. Authorities are withholding names pending family notifications and identification procedures, the prefecture added.
Local officials and Interior Ministry briefings said some relatives and bystanders witnessed the aircraft descend, causing immediate trauma. An interior ministry official described intense distress among relatives who were present, a detail confirmed by Meurthe-et-Moselle authorities and municipal statements from Greater Nancy leaders.
Official response and investigation
The BEA said it opened a safety investigation and sent a team to secure the wreckage, preserve evidence and begin technical work, the agency said in a statement. The BEA typically examines wreckage, maintenance records, pilot training and medical information, radar and flight-tracking records (including Flightradar24 data when available), and interviews witnesses and airfield staff, the agency added.
Meurthe-et-Moselle Prefect Yves Séguy and other local officials cautioned that the description of an “apparent malfunction” is an early observation and that no definitive cause has been established. Officials asked the public and media to avoid speculation while the BEA and local investigators carry out a methodical examination.
Skydiving plane crash in France: investigation status
BEA investigators on site will prioritize documenting the wreckage, collecting on-board equipment if present, and retrieving any available electronic tracking or radar records. The agency said it had dispatched four investigators plus a first-response investigator to coordinate with local police and emergency services.
Investigators commonly take weeks to issue preliminary findings and can require months or longer to publish a final report, depending on the complexity of mechanical, human factors and environmental evidence, the BEA noted in its standard procedures. The agency did not set a public deadline for results in this case.
Local reaction and support for families
Greater Nancy leaders, including Mayor Mathieu Klein, visited the scene and described the community as deeply shaken. The mayor’s office and prefecture said Mayor Klein met first responders and pledged municipal support to affected families, according to local statements.
The Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture said officials will open a gathering space at Marcel Picot Stadium where residents can pay respects and access psychological support. The prefecture activated a public information center and said a hotline would operate to assist relatives and provide verified information; authorities said the hotline would reopen Monday morning for family inquiries.
Background on the Pilatus PC-6 and skydiving operations
The Pilatus PC-6 is a single-engine utility aircraft widely used for parachuting because of its short takeoff and climbing capability. Skydiving flights commonly use small aircraft with configurations that balance climb performance and rapid exit capability for jumpers. Operators maintain specific weight-and-balance, sequencing and safety procedures for jump runs.
Regulatory oversight of recreational skydiving includes operator licensing, maintenance record checks and periodic inspections by civil aviation authorities. When a fatal accident occurs, investigative bodies such as the BEA lead technical inquiries to determine contributory factors including mechanical condition, maintenance history, pilot qualification and environmental conditions.
What comes next
Investigators will secure the crash site and collect physical evidence before moving wreckage for detailed analysis if needed, the BEA said. They will review maintenance logs for the aircraft, pilot records, and available telemetry or tracking files from Flightradar24 and air traffic services, and interview eyewitnesses and ground personnel. Authorities indicated DNA and forensic identification steps will proceed as families are notified.
Officials reiterated that determining a definitive cause may require component testing and in-depth analysis that can extend the timeline. The BEA will coordinate with local prosecutors and safety authorities as appropriate while preserving the integrity of the investigative process, the agency said.
Frequently asked questions
What caused the crash and is the cause confirmed?
No cause has been confirmed. The Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture described an “apparent malfunction” and the BEA has opened a safety investigation; both agencies said investigators must analyze wreckage, maintenance and flight data before reaching conclusions.
How many people died and who were they?
Eleven people died, authorities said: five skydiving instructors, five first-time jumpers and the pilot, according to the Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture. Names have not been released pending family notification and formal identification procedures.
What will the BEA investigation examine and how long will it take?
The BEA will examine wreckage, maintenance records, pilot training and medical files, radar and flight-tracking data (including the Flightradar24 record referenced by officials), and witness statements. Preliminary findings can take weeks; a final report can take months or longer depending on the evidence, the BEA said.
Reporting for this article is based on statements and releases from the Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture, the BEA, flight-tracking data cited by officials (Flightradar24), and comments from local and national government officials. The Associated Press contributed to initial coverage. For original reporting referenced here, see: Fox News – Families watch in horror as skydiving plane crashes in France, killing all 11 aboard.
